The official PF Hobby thread.

I have accumulated a rather vast button collection.

 

I raced AMA for a few years. Made the pro circuit. The track will absolutely ruin you for the street. The r6 is a fantastic machine. The liters now days ruin riders. When your bike will do 100+ in the first gear of six, it makes people lazy, and sloppy. They just have power everywhere, and people make up for their lack of talent with meat everywhere. I found the r6 to have very little in the middle. Had to wind the (*)(*)(*)(*) out of it to really exploit its power band. In my old age I have come to like that in a bike. If you aren't in that narrow wedge, you aren't really trying. It will teach you throttle control or hurt you. I don't recommend moving into a liter. Get that thing on a track and you will see what I mean. Most people will never find the end of what you have... the bike outperforms almost everyone but the most skilled riders. It would take me a couple of years to find it... and I am awesome. Upgrading would be a (*)(*)(*)(*) poor idea, if you want to be good. You can't learn to be good on a liter. Even Rossi started on 125's.

Put some coin together. Do a track day. The event itself is cheap enough. What costs you ends up being the rubber.

I used to have bikes... now I have kids.

 

I read (my house is full of books) and post on political forums. I watch TV, go for long walks, and nothing much other than that. I do karate too, but only once a week.

 

I collect coins, go for long walks, do a little prospecting now and then and play video games. Actually the video games are great for me as they help me to keep my mind active as well as my hand and eye coordination. But my real love is cooking.

 

Video games, you have PS3 ? I play Mortal Kombat 9.

 

I like walks as well. Maybe would could go for a walk together sometime.

 

Long distance running & golfing - when I have the time, energy and/or money. If I lived closer to water, I'd probably be doing more fishing.

 

I also enjoy cblack coffee and the board games scrabble, risk, and stratego.

 

Posting on the PC and taking care of my livestock.

I have goats, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. And I want a steer for beef.

Sometimes I ride my CT-50 for relaxation.

I may get into the sausage business...my butcher makes the best sausage I have ever ate...that would be a hobby also.

 

What a coincidence - I like duck porn and fishing with lesbians.

 

LOL the kid bike can do 0-170 mph in like 6 seconds. Which is awesome! [if you like that kind of thing, of course].

I love the Honda's. When I bought my bike it was between the R6 and the 600RR. I liked the fact that the exhaust was underneath the rear fairing instead of out the side. I heard it gets hot if you have a passenger, but my wife is terrified of the bike so that will never happen anyway. Maybe my next bike will be a Honda, who knows.

That's awesome CTRL, the most expensive things are the (*)(*)(*)(*) track fairings and the leather suit. Those alone are a few thousand. One day though, most definitely. I am quite jealous you used to race AMA, that must have been an amazing experience! Do you have any pictures you can share? And you are right about the powerband in the mid-range (6-8K RPMS) I feel as though it's lacking and I really need to romp on it to get it to go. I have been looking into a PCIII and a tune, just to smooth the power out, but too much $. I think I would rather some better tires, SS brake lines and a steering damper first anyways. I just have to keep an eye of in the Yamaha forums for some good second hand sales!

 

Quick but not as quick...

ZX-14 vs. R6 (stock)

1/4 mile times...

11.5 seconds ET @ 109mph = Yamaha R6
9.7 seconds ET @143mph = Kawasaki ZX-14

Even with performance add-ons, I seriously doubt your street legal R6 will do 170mph in 6 seconds.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v2mfohLygg"]Stock ZX14 vs R6 - YouTube[/ame]


....a real motorcycle >>>>>> ZX-14...at least going in a straight line.

 

I'm not so sure I understand this whole, " a real motorcycle" thing. Just because someone chooses to ride a 600 doesn't mean they are less of a man.

Like cntrl said, the majority of people cant really extract near full performance from most of today's sport class bikes, including the 600 series. On the street you are riding like a real jerk if you are pushing any sport class bike built within the last 5-7 years.

My whole life I've ridden nothing but 1000cc bikes, and I am not a good rider because of it. If I could go back, instead of having a new 916 as my first bike, I would have bought a beat used 600 and some quality gear so I could feel comfortable wiping out, learn wheelies, trail braking etc. Now in my 30s as much as I love bikes I am sad to say I still can't ride a wheelie and don't know what it feels like to meet the pavement. Not that I want to meet the pavement but it teaches you things about yourself and the bike if you live to ride again. At least that's what I hear.

My next bike will be a 600 cc turd. I'm thinking a f4i or older r6 that I can beat and finally learn a thing or two on.

Busas and the zx14 are really only good for straight line acceleration. They aren't as comfortable as sport tourers and not as nimble as 600-1000 cc.

What is important if is you find happiness in what you ride.

 

Irish, I too like the exhaust exiting under the seat look. If the heat is an issue you could try wrapping the pipe with thermotec tec heat wrap. Sounds like you may not have a passenger anyway, haha.

 

Pictures are one of the things you don't keep a lot of track of when you spend 8 years riding around the world. I am sure I can dig something up... but frankly... I am a bit paranoid about putting my number up on a site where some people hate you. That makes me findable.

I forget about startup costs (leathers, boots)... but you don't need track fairings. You can just tape your lights/gauges, and remove your signals. Depending on how strict they are you might have to get a drill and some safety wire. PCIII makes a real difference... you already have more brakes than you need... ss lines are a bit over the top. Steering damper you really only need on the track, and it isn't a requirement... but very helpful. Frankly the place to look is the salvage yard. The people who ride on the street with all the race gear usually don't do it very well. A good set of leathers is a must anyway. Save your pennies for that.



More than twice the engine and the inability to steer is not worth a second on the 1/4.

Sub 10 1/4s are fun... but a one trick pony. Great fun to wind out on a drag strip or airfield... That isn't what I ride for though. ZX14s and Busas are for people with little wee wees. Put it on a track and I will spank it with a 600. A 500.

 

Team roping, hunting, drinking, cooking, and more drinking.

 

The ZX-14, at least at the time I bought mine...was the fastest production motorcycle
ever built.

I could just as easily have bought a 600cc bike; but again there's nothing really special
about that. Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki all make competent 600 and 1000cc
sport bikes...yielding enough performance to satisfy any rider...

but they can't make the claim....fastest in the World...

So go big or go home.

any 18 y/o kid, who has never been on a motorcycle, can plunk down 7 or 8 grand and buy a 600cc sport bike...

not everyone can handle a ZX-14 or a Busa...that takes a lot of riding to work your way
up to that level of motorcycle...a motorcycle that can kill a novice rider just
taking it of the driveway...

He claimed his R6 will do 170mph in 6 seconds which is pure bunk....

I can just as easily be riding a 600 or a 1000; I started with a 500 and worked my way
up...I didn't just on a whim decide to get a 1399cc bike.

I have no interest in twisty's or track riding...I only tour and occasionally commute;
but bragging rights belong to the Busa and the ZX-14...those bikes separate the men...
from the boys...

If I wanted to ride just another 600...I'd be riding that...but I ride the fastest
production motorcycle ever built....at least at the time.

 

Relax, I was being overly dramatic, that is why I said "in like" 6 seconds, basically saying that the bike is fast as hell. I don't know 1/4 mile times because frankly, going in a straight line is boring as hell to me.

Nice for cruising I guess, but seems awfully pointless to have all that power that you can't use.

True enough, I did that with a few of my buddies intercooler pipes and exhausts (downpipes mostly straight from the turbo).

Fair enough, I didn't think of that. If you find and sweet pictures and you want to share, PM me.

I will, I already wear a nice leather jacket when I ride [scorpion], bought some good gloves [icon]. I also bought an Arai helmet which hurt the wallet big time.

Good post. I agree, 1/4 mile bores me. What is the point? If all the roads in the world were straight I could see, but we do have twists and turns unfortunately. That is why I always liked road course, it emulates the street and takes a LOT of talent and practice, bike or motorcycle.

You seriously think it is easy to handle the light weight and power of modern 600 CC sportbikes? That type of thinking makes me think you have never had the privilege of riding one before. Personally, I don't even see the point of a 1399CC sportbike. You will never even come close to using it's full potential and the thing weighs in @ 500+ pounds.

There is a reason that in the most dangerous race in the world (isle of man TT) All of the records held are from 600 or 1000CC bikes. But hey, those guys must not be "real men," eh? What a bunch of (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)'s riding their 600's @ almost 200 MPH on side streets setting world records.

 

600 crotch rockets are for boys...
I don't have the back to ride one any long distance...plus I'm taller
at 6' 1", and most 600 frames are built for smaller riders

Ideally, the best bike I've ever owned was a Honda VFR-800.

The topic isn't track racing, it's everyday street riding.

I don't see the point in any street motorcycle aside from getting from point A to point B...and a 50cc scooter will do that job just as well a crotch rocket. I have no interest in racing them
or "wheelies" or "stoppies" or any of that other juvenile crap...which is why boys
ride the little 600's...because they act like juvenile delinquents on them scaring
4 wheel drivers have to death with thier antics.

Is there a point to owning a ZX-14? Probably not, as I've only used about 20% of it's capabilities and I don't care to push the envelope any further...

There are a lot more practical rides, sportier in the twisties, and suitable for a track...
but they can't make the claim "Fastest production motorcycle in the World"...

Why do folks buy a Porsche, or a Ferrari? Odds are they'll never take them to a track
or utilize the performance they have...unless they want to risk an expensive
speeding ticket.

So yes, it's a decision based on emotion, more so than rationality...but as I can't afford
a Porsche or Ferrari...I have the two-wheel equivalent....

and I have more riding experience..out in the real world than you...the street and highways...and the little 600 crotch rockets are no more practical than anything
else for everyday riding...besides on the highways a heavier bike is preferrable...particularly when dealing with the turbulence generated by semi-tractor trailers at highway speeds. You want a heavier bike for stability in those circumstances.

Like I said, get a real motorcycle.
It's the punks on the 600's that give mature riders a bad name.

I've never seen a 600 that was ridden in a safe and conscientious manner...usually some 20 something
wearing shorts and sandals weaving in out of traffic at 90 mph..thinking they are on a track.

 

I just ride an 805cc Suzuki. It is quiet and 100 mph is as fast as it will go.

It is a crusier with saddlebags, sissy bar, windshield and floorboards....but it works fine for me. I can ride all day even with my tender back.

 

Nothing wrong with a cruiser and 805cc is big enough for extensive highway travel.

My initial post which instigated the whole silly argument was intended as a joke anyway.

I called his R6 a "mini-bike"...when in fact the R6 is a near track ready sport bike capable
of high performance out of the box.

Apparently some folks are more sensitive than others and they took the "mini-bike"
comment seriously.

However an R6 is not practical for everyday commuter riding..and neither is the
ZX-14. My commute is 20.4 miles round trip and only 4 miles of that is highway.
I rarely make it over 65mph in the entire trip. It's too much bike for 95% of
real world situations street/highway....but I didn't buy it to be practical...
I bought it for braggin' rights...and on those merits, not much can top it other than
the Suzuki Hayabusa. I've had practical bikes, smaller cc's, more upright ride I just
wanted a change...and despite the over-power, it's a smooth engine and not nearly as
lumbering as many might think. Not going to take peg scraping tight turns, but sweeping turns is not a problem, the rider
ergonomics aren't nearly as cramping as a full fledged racer like the R6. I've gone on several road trips, and as a middle aged
guy coped with the ergonomics pretty well.

Ultimately it comes down to whatever the individual rider likes...if it's a Vespa or a Harley...
we all have the same goal of surviving on two wheels while at the same time enjoying
the freedom and excitement that only two wheels can provide.

 

agreed. I just like to ride.

Thats what its all about. My wife rides a Honda 750 Shadow...nice bike.

 

Exactly.

I've ridden a friends Honda Rebel 250cc and had as much fun on that as the bigger
bikes. I'm not out to impress girls, trick riding while breaking the sound barrier.

Just like flying a plane...you take enough risks, the statistics catch up with you.

There are old riders and bold riders...but there are no old bold riders.

 

Like I said. Sorry about your penis.

I agree. The perfect all around bike... though I was also very fond of the zx9. However a 600 on a track is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Squids will be squids.






And lets face it... they prefer busas.



Care to guess why?
http://www.motorcyclingblog.com/article/the-fastest-production-motorcycles-in-the-world

 

I like two wheels too....

But I like mine to be human powered.



In other words, my main forms of recreation are mountain biking in summer and skiing in winter.